Sometimes, it’s not the Lakers’ fault that they’re at the center of every last trade rumor. It’s usually the result of fans, social media, and yes, the mainstream media at times, too.
The latest scuttlebutt says the Lakers want reportedly available Bulls standout guard Zach LaVine. Well, maybe not. Maybe they’ve only thought about it. Or maybe not.
Maybe the Lakers have only heard that LaVine is becoming available — and everyone else decided that LA had an interest. At this point, it appears that’s the most likely scenario.
Per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Lakers have not begun to pursue LaVine in any way, shape or form. And it may remain that way. As Stein wrote, the Lakers’ interest in LaVine is “TBD,” also known as not yet decided upon.
“The Lakers, for starters, couldn’t trade Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura even if they wanted to before Jan. 15. A further slew of summer signees — D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood — can’t be traded before Dec. 15.”
Right now, the Lakers are focused on improving with the team they just constructed this offseason. Clearly, as long as LeBron James is healthy, they have a pretty good chance.
“If the Lakers decide later in the season to seriously pursue LaVine, they’ll first have to embrace the idea that the 28-year-old would be a very pricy No. 3 option on a team headlined by the seemingly ageless LeBron James and Anthony Davis,” Stein wrote. “LaVine, again, is only in the second year of a five-year, $215 million contract.”
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